The Renault-Nissan Alliance's first European plant for the production of advanced lithium-ion batteries began on April 27 in Sunderland, UK.
The facility will be operational in early 2012 with an initial annual production capacity of 60,000 units and will supply batteries for both Nissan and Renault electric vehicles (EVs).
The plant is expected to create 200 new Nissan jobs and a further 600 across the UK supply chain.
The Alliance has previously announced that a second battery facility will be located in Cacia, Portugal and has also announced plans to produce batteries at Renault's Flins plant in France.
Last month, Nissan confirmed that Sunderland will also become a production location for the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle. Nissan LEAF will be launched in 2013 on the plant's 'Number 2' production line alongside the recently unveiled JUKE compact crossover car, which enters production in August 2010.
In March, Regional Development Agency One North East announced that a National Training Centre for Sustainable Manufacturing will also be established adjacent to Nissan's car plant. The center will give learners access to the latest technology and sustainable production methods and Nissan will contribute 'best-practice' skills sharing in lean manufacturing, logistics and maintenance.
